Zitto, Polepole differ on campaigns

        Dar es Salaam. Opposition ACT Wazalendo leader Zitto Kabwe has challenged political parties campaigning for the Kinondoni by-election to suspend their rallies in honour of fallen veteran politician Kingunge Ngombale Mwiru.

Mr Kingunge died on Friday. Addressing journalists at the deceased politician’s residence in Dar es Salaam, Mr Kabwe said rallies should be suspended for at least three days.

The Kigoma Urban MP’s party towed its own line when it decided to boycott the by-elections accusing the government of not ensuring a level playing field.

But the opposition coalition, Ukawa, threw its weight behind a Chadema candidate, who is campaigning against the ruling CCM.

Mr Zitto described the vote as a sham.

He appealed to the two main rivals to consider the role Mr Kingunge played for both CCM and Chadema.

“The late Mr Kingunge served for CCM and the government for many years before supporting the opposition, Chadema. Therefore, I call upon political parties, especially the CCM and Chadema candidates, to postpone their campaigns until his burial,” he said.

However, CCM national executive secretary for ideology and publicity, Mr Humphrey Polepole, differed with Mr Zitto saying: “This is not the appropriate time to postpone the campaigns; instead, it is time to remind the political parties to conduct clean campaigns and formulate strategies that result in this country having good leaders and members who will always stand for the interest of their parties.”